Chapter 3

Kosuke ran into the house, heart beating wildly in his chest. He slammed doors open as he searched the house desperately for his guardian. His guardian whose chakra signature had suddenly disappeared.

Kosuke slid a door open and froze, eyes wide. There, lying on his side, eyes dim and sightless, was his father. Kosuke let out a wail of grief as he collapsed in front of the dead body, tears pouring down his face. This couldn't be happening. He buried his head in his knees and sobbed. This couldn't be happening!

He didn't know how long he sat there, crying and crying, letting out the grief, sorrow and anger inside him, but when he finally quieted his racking sobs into small hiccups, his throat burned and his eyes were puffy and red.

Obsidian eyes moved back to the dead body of his guardian and they zeroed in on a pice of paper next to it. Kosuke bolted to his feet, locking his emotions up, and striding to the note. He picked it up and read it, anger and grief rising as he read.

Dear Kosuke, by the time you read this, I'll be dead. Don't blame yourself, it was my decision, and I'm sorry for any negative emotion this might cause you. I didn't want you to know about my illness, you would be too engulfed in finding a cure, it would be a waste of your time and effort. I'm so glad found you in that orphanage, you were my light, my only reason to stay alive after Uzushiogakure was destroyed. I love you Kosuke, and I'm so proud of you. Stay safe.

Loving you always,

Raiden Uzumaki, proud father.

By the time he had finished the letter, Kosuke's eyes were welling with tears once again. He brought his arm up and swiped at the tears furiously. He was a shinobi! Emotions were a weakness. He took the grief, anger, and sorrow and locked it deep inside him.

Kosuke took a shaky breath and started going around the house, collecting the things he needed and sealing it into a scroll like his father taught him to do.

He left the house and bit his finger hard, harder than necessary, slamming his hand into the ground. Vyronax appeared in a cloud of smoke and Kosuke spoke, "We're leaving." His voice shook and was scratchy from crying but the dragon didn't comment.

He curled his tail forward to allow the boy to climb onto his back, and when he was situated, Vyronax took off into the sky. They weren't heading anywhere, Kosuke stared blankly ahead and Vyronax was just flying.

Kosuke was thinking as he stared off into space. If he had never cared for Raiden, he wouldn't be feeling the way he did now. Love made him weak. He never wanted to feel this way again. His eyes hardened. He would never love again.